--- title: "Flood on the Nepal–Tibet border: at least 18 killed, around 400 missing" description: "A sudden flood and landslide on the Nepal–Tibet border have killed at least 18 people, with around 400 missing. The disaster swept away entire villages in the Rasuwa district north of Kathmandu." date: 2026-08-26T12:50:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/flood-on-nepal-tibet-border tags: [nepal-flood, tibet, landslide, bhoote-koshi, disaster, kathmandu] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Flood on the Nepal–Tibet border: at least 18 killed, around 400 missing ![Flood damage on the Nepal-Tibet border: mud-covered destroyed houses, rubble and debris against a forested mountain slope](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/26/navodnenie-na-granitse-nepala-i-tibeta/navodnenie-na-granitse-nepala-i-tibeta-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - A flood with a landslide struck the Rasuwa district on the Nepal–Tibet border: at least 18 killed, around 400 missing, 88 people rescued. - Among the missing are 291 tourists, 93 Nepali citizens, as well as 26 police officers, 9 armed police and 44 soldiers. - 430 MW of power capacity was affected (more than 12% of Nepal's hydropower generation), the Trishuli hydropower plant was damaged, and the main road to Kathmandu was closed. - Authorities warned of the risk of a secondary flood due to a debris dam upstream; the PRC called for full-scale searches. Early Wednesday morning, August 26, a sudden flood accompanied by a landslide struck the Rasuwa district north of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. According to the latest reports, at least 18 people have died, around 400 are missing, and entire villages were swept away by the disaster. Preliminary information suggests the catastrophe was triggered by an earthquake that caused an avalanche of melting snow to surge into the Bhote Koshi river. Verified footage shows the current sweeping away a bridge and destroying multi-story buildings. ### Scale of the damage and the search-and-rescue operations According to the Nepali army, search-and-rescue operations are being carried out on both sides of the border; so far 88 people have been rescued. Nepali army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet reported efforts to save 115 people from the village of Mailung. The Ministry of the Interior warned of the likelihood of heavy losses in the settlements of Timur, Syabrubese and Betrawati. Several districts downstream of the Bhote Koshi have been placed on heightened alert: roads, communications and power supplies have been disrupted, and the main road to Kathmandu has been closed. ### Among the missing are tourists and security personnel The Nepal Tourism Board reported that efforts are ongoing to locate 291 tourists and 93 Nepali citizens, including guides, who were in the flood zone. Among them are 12 travelers from the United Kingdom, as well as citizens of the United States, Malaysia, South Africa and India. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told parliament that 26 police officers, nine armed police and 44 soldiers are missing. Nepali officials are expecting "huge losses," and Chinese state media, which controls Tibet, report significant casualties. ### Blow to infrastructure and energy The disaster damaged the Trishuli hydropower project. Nepal's Ministry of Energy stated that 430 MW of electricity supply was affected, mainly from hydropower plants. According to Reuters calculations, this is more than 12% of the country's total 3.2 GW of hydropower capacity. Bridges and multi-story buildings have been destroyed, and the threat to the population along the Bhote Koshi riverbed persists. ### Cause of the disaster and the threat of a secondary flood Preliminary data indicate that the flood was the result of an earthquake that triggered the release of melting snow into the Bhote Koshi river. Authorities have warned of a possible second flood: a debris dam has formed upstream on the Nepal–China border, so people along the riverbanks are urged to remain vigilant. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "full-scale" searches for the missing, as well as for strengthening monitoring and early-warning systems to avoid secondary disasters. ### Contradictory data There are inconsistencies in the statements of the parties and in the reports that are important to take into account. First, the number of missing people varies: some reports cite "around 400," while the sum of the separately named groups — 291 tourists and 93 Nepali citizens — gives 384 people, and including 79 missing police and army personnel the total exceeds 460. Second, the number of deaths ("at least 18") is preliminary and, by officials' own admission, may rise. Third, the cause of the flood has so far been given only "based on preliminary information" and is linked to an earthquake, although the mechanism of the meltwater release requires confirmation. It is worth emphasizing separately: the powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Japan mentioned in the context at the end of July is a separate event, unrelated to the flood in Nepal. ### Government response and international reaction Search-and-rescue operations are being coordinated on both sides of the border, and the Chinese side has announced a transition to "full-scale" operations and the strengthening of early-warning systems. Nepali authorities are focused on evacuating residents of riverside villages and restoring disrupted communications. The situation remains dynamic, and final data on casualties and damage will be refined as rescue teams make progress. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Devastating flood hits the Nepal–Tibet border: dozens of victims and hundreds missing](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ruynivna-povin-nakrila-kordon-nepalu-y-tibetu-1787748416.html) - Подтверждает факт наводнения на границе Непала и Тибета, десятки жертв и сотни пропавших. - ["Footage like from a disaster movie" — a powerful flood strikes Nepal](https://tengrinews.kz/around-the-world/kadryi-iz-filma-katastrofyi-moschnoe-navodnenie-obrushilos-607104/) - Описывает масштаб разрушений и характер кадров; согласуется с описанием снесения моста и зданий. - [Devastating flood in Nepal: what is known about Kazakhs](https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/razrushitelnoe-navodnenie-nepale-izvestno-kazahstantsah-607115/) - Описывает масштаб разрушений и характер кадров; согласуется с описанием снесения моста и зданий. - [Entire villages washed away, nearly 400 people missing: a powerful flood strikes Nepal](https://24tv.ua/ru/navodnenie-v-nepale-26-avgusta-skolko-chelovek-pogiblo-video-razrushenij_n3130365) - Подтверждает дату 26 августа, размытые деревни и цифру «почти 400» пропавших. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Where and when did the flood occur? **A:** Early Wednesday morning, August 26, in the Rasuwa district north of Kathmandu, on the Nepal–Tibet border, in the basin of the Bhote Koshi river. ### Q: How many people were killed and missing? **A:** Preliminary data indicate at least 18 people were killed and around 400 are missing; 88 people have been rescued. The figures are being refined. ### Q: What caused the disaster? **A:** Based on preliminary information, an earthquake triggered an avalanche of melting snow that surged into the Bhote Koshi river. The cause requires confirmation. ### Q: Is there a threat of a repeat flood? **A:** Yes, authorities have warned of a possible second flood due to a debris dam upstream on the Nepal–China border and have urged people to remain vigilant along the riverbanks.